Christina Boyd Stops By Just Jane 1813 To Discuss “The Darcy Monologues,” Her Special Plans With The One & Only Henry Cavill & Why We Still Love Mr. Darcy 200 Years Later!

The secret is finally out to share with all of my fellow Janeites. I only hope this surprise announcement brings you as much excitement as it brings me!

There are many well-known names behind today’s exciting announcement in the JAFF community and the one person at the center of it all is here today to share this news with us; the lovely Austenesque editor, Christina Boyd.

Christina, there’s a buzz going around the JAFF community that you are heading a new project and it’s a pleasure to have you visit so many Austenesque blogs today to share your big news!

Can you share with us what you’ve been working on behind-the-scenes?

Thank you for hosting and shining your light on this project. I am excited and not a little proud to announce “The Darcy Monologues”—a short story anthology with sixteen of my very favorite Austenesque writers. I doubt anyone will be surprised by my list—authors I’ve either enjoyed working with and admire their work or authors I have simply fan-girl’d over for years: Susan Adriani, Sara Angelini, Karen M. Cox, J. Marie Croft, Jan Hahn, Jenetta James, Lory Lilian, Judy-Lynne, KaraLynne Mackrory, Beau North, Ruth Phillips Oakland, Natalie Richards, Sophia Rose, Melanie Stanford, Joana Starnes, and Caitlin Williams.

Wow, that is an exciting line-up of talent!

“The Darcy Monologues” sounds like such a fitting title for this anthology. Would you share with us how it was selected as the title, especially with so many authors involved in this project?

This project is a collection of stories all told from Fitzwilliam’s point-of-view—set in Regency, contemporary, as well as other eras. Because the stories are strictly from his eyes, I felt it imperative we find a title that clearly illustrated the book would be more than one tale but all from his point-of-view. In an e-mail from “The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy” author, Sara Angelini, she mentioned how she had long wanted to write a story titled “The Darcy Monologues” or something like… So, in presenting the idea to the group, other ideas were thrown about. After a quick Google search, we learned there was a short story on Derbyshire Writer’s Guild by Judy-Lynne with the same title. She had written a short story described as six “extemporaneous rants” expressed by Fitzwilliam Darcy. Not one to be a copycat, we moved on to other names. But as time passed, nothing resonated with me as much so I felt incumbent to ask Judy-Lynne if she would be offended if we used the same title. Unfortunately, she is rarely on the fanfiction sites anymore and everyone I asked claimed they did not know how to get in touch with her. Finally! Finally, I connected with her through “A Happy Assembly” and asked her about the title use, she accepted, and I asked her if she was still writing and would she be interested in writing a short for the anthology. She said she wasn’t writing but agreed to the challenge. And that’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

How does this project differ from anything you’ve worked on before?

I’ve worked on two other anthologies, published in 2015 by Meryton Press: “Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer” and “Then Comes Winter.” Both were set-up as writing contests with a panel of judges reading and selecting the submissions. This project, I am self-publishing and have assembled my own dream team.

At this point, what can you share about your experiences working with so many talented Austenesque writers?

I feel lucky! Blessed. Not only that these talented writers have all graciously committed to this project—some having not written anything Austenesque in years—but have over a short period of time become so dear to me on a personal level.

What can readers expect from this anthology?

The authors have all committed towrite a short piece from Darcy’s point-of-view, between 5000-15,000 words, and must have romance—but no scenes that I wouldn’t be able to share with my teenage daughter or eighty-year-old mother-in-law. Even with that last tenet, I am amazed how these writers can turn up the heat in a room. Have your fans handy—and even a few tissues!

It seems like we just can’t get enough of Mr. Darcy! What’s his appeal, Christina, 200 years later?

“Pride and Prejudice” is told in the third-person narrative, limited omniscient, from Elizabeth Bennet’s point-of-view. In my fiction, I have always had a weakness for the rich, powerful, noble, and handsome man who changes his ways for love, and a woman worthy of his efforts. I’ve long dreamt of putting together a collection of stories all from my favorite Austen hero’s eyes. Yes, “Pride and Prejudice” has been told before from Darcy’s point-of-view by the talented Pamela Aidan, Stanley Hurd, Amanda Grange, Janet Aylmer, and Mary Street, to name a few—but with all the amazing “Pride and Prejudice” re-imaginings out there, I wanted to read alternate stories in his own words.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us today about The Darcy Monologues?

The anthology is scheduled for release May 22, 2017, and we have a few promotions planned in the coming weeks as we finish the editing process to spit and polish the collection.

Before we part, Christina, I hear you have some rather thrilling news to share with us on a personal level, which was just announced early this week. Care to divulge the details here too?

Well… I can barely believe it myself but…I won—I WON, the Omaze “Champagne Toast with Henry Cavill on the London Eye” experience! (Fundraiser to benefit the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.) You read that right. I won. I’m flying to London to meet my all-time favorite book boyfriend, the very talented British actor, Henry Cavill. I have never been to England, except layovers in Heathrow—which doesn’t count—so I feel like the French teacher who has never been to France. And here I get to go, stay in a luxury hotel, explore London, and have a champagne toast with Henry Cavill. Pinch me! And yes, if he is willing, I do hope to have him sign some swag for “The Darcy Monologue” giveaways—after all, he is my book boyfriend.

Omaze created this video of their big announcement with Christina too. I know Henry Cavill is my vision of a modern-day Mr. Darcy! I think you’ll love this video and it shows why Mr. Cavill should star in a Janeite project one day.

Christina Boyd wears many hats as she is an editor, a contributor to Austenprose, and a ceramicist under her own banner, Stir Crazy Mama’s Artworks. A life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Christina lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her dear Mr. B, two busy teenagers, and a retriever named BiBi. Visiting Jane Austen’s England remains on her bucket list.

We are giving away some really fun prizes to three lucky winners! One winner will receive a stash of gifts to enjoy with his/her own significant other. These treats include assorted British food and beverage snacks and a Mr. Darcy quote mug. (This prize is open to a winner with a U.S. mailing address only)

Another winner will receive two stories from the anthology; a Regency story and a contemporary or alternate era short story. The winner will choose his/her prize stories based on the authors in this anthology. These stories will be distributed to the winner on March 15, 2017.

Our third prize winner will receive a walk-on role in one of the stories in this anthology. That’s right…This winner will have a piece of the action in one of our stories, which means having a character in one of these stories in the anthology named after her/him.

This is something every JAFF reader dreams about, isn’t it? To enter these giveaways, you can enter at the Raffelcopter below:

These giveaways are open for entries from Friday, January 20 until midnight, ET, on Saturday, January 28, 2017.

The winners will be announced on Sunday, January 29, 2017.

It feels so good to share this big news with the JAFF community and now that this secret has been revealed, I look forward to hearing your reactions to this project! Does this collection of delicious JAFF stories by this fabulous cast of authors, all told from Mr. Darcy’s point-of-view, have your heart all a flutter? Would you care to share with us why you LOVE Mr. Darcy?

Please share your comments and feelings below this post, and if you can, please share this on your social media too!

I encourage you to visit some of my favorite Austenesque bloggers today who have also joined us to share this story. Thank you, ladies, for your time and support!

Reader Interactions

Comments

Over the moon to take part in this FANTASTIC project along with some of my dearest friends and so many of my top-favourite JAFF authors! I was overjoyed when you asked me to be part of your dream-team, Christina, and it’s my greatest pleasure to spread the news today, along with Claudine and all the wonderful people who have jumped on board to blog about the Darcy Monologues.

Virtual hugs to Henry Cavill too, who made it possible for Christina to tick one big thing off her bucket list! I only wish you could bring Claudine along, Christina, for all this to be absolutely perfect! You ladies rock, hugs to you both!

I know, I’ve felt like I would self-combust. Thank you, Beau, for sharing your talent with another incredible story AND for creating the gorgeous announcement graphic above. Your many talents are totally untapped!

Thanks Claudine. I have to admit it was a big challenge for me to write only from Mr Darcy’s point of view, but as I’m a bit of a geek who likes tests, I couldn’t refuse Christina’s offer to get involved. I can’t wait to read the other stories – so many Mr Darcys, but we can’t get enough of him, can we?

I can’t talk at the moment about Christina’s fortune in winning a date with Henry Cavill, as I am eaten alive with insane jealousy. I intend to stand at the bottom of London Eye when she is here, to heckle.

You were worried about writing strictly from Darcy’s POV…but I think your story may be one of your best efforts yet! I hope you will write more from his eyes. Thank you for being such an important part of my dream team!

Thank you! It is going to be quite a huge book–not likely read in one sitting. I can’t wait for it to finally get out in your hands. Yes, Claudine is an invaluable part of my dream team! She’s the ultimate cheerleader, organizer, idea maker… I feel blessed!

May! MAY!!!!!! How on earth am I supposed to wait until May? Such a fab idea Christina and what a list of authors 😍 I loved Then Comes Winter and Sun Kissed Effusions but I’m sure I will love this more because it’s all about Darcy 💖. I really can’t wait to read this book Claudine, in fact I think announcing it so early is a form of torture 😥😱🙇. I would just like to say if you want to make it even better??? You could have a photo of the author’s perfect Darcy with each story (that would mean fans would be a definite reading requirement 😍💖💕) Well one can but dream. Enjoy the London Eye Christina (and the company!) Thanks for this post Claudine, roll on May.

I have got my tablet accepting e-mails again so was able to enter on rafflecopter 😊 but it didn’t give me the option to put a blog name so I assume I wouldn’t be able to have more entries by visiting other sites? I was also on the U.S. only page by mistake but hey what else is new? Technology hmmm! Whatever I am definitely getting this book anyway! 📕💖

I hate to be the party pooper, ladies, but…it would be vastly expensive to buy photo rights. Especially x16. And I reckon everyone would likely pick CF or MM or HenryCavill. That’s what usually happens on blogs when asked. But I appreciate your encouragement. So sorry to be the party pooper. Besides, I’d hate to set someone up for a story, and our dreamcasting did not match the reader’s own image in their head. I agree, a blog post during the tour would make this fun…or even during the Launch Party.

These authors in “The Darcy Monologues” truly are my dream team! And people say dreams don’t come true! Well, I am here to say that they do. In addition I’m FINALLY going to London (I’m like the French teacher who has never been to France!) to meet my book boyfriend and my favorite UK writers!

Claudine–thank you for all your stellar, enthusiastic work on this project and for all your inspired ideas! I can’t wait to meeting you at JASNA-AGM! So many good things to look forward to in 2017.

Darcy is a rare man…how many of us REALLY know a man who changes so drastically for the woman he loves AND without the assurance that he will then be rewarded with the grand prize – her hand in marriage. Darcy goes against his family, his place in the ton and even against those with whom he has associated with while at university. And after making strides to change he goes the extra mile in searching for Lydia & Wickham and spending his own £ to bring that scandal to an acceptable conclusion while again not doing it so as to “earn points” but for the happiness of Elizabeth….I did it for you. Your family owes me nothing. Of course, it never hurts that he is one fine specimen of a man…body, face and curls! OK, I have to pause to get a tissue for the drool.

J. Dawn King first told me of your having won this prize, Christina, and may I say that your support of this group is exemplary. There are so many great charities out there…it is hard to know select only a few to support. But I applaud that!

I have to add that I was looking at the list of authors and there are several whose books I have not read so I am going to have to go exploring. I have read the best known versions of P&P from Darcy’s POV.

And yet, the other prizes are worldwide so I hope you’ll try. How fun to see your name in a book next to Darcy’s! (AbigailReynolds wrote me in once –Miss Boyd– in one of her books for a fundraiser–it was such a thrill!)

Whew! All in that list of authors are heavy hitters! I’m definitely looking forward to May and snagging this anthology when it’s released. And congrats to Christina for getting to spend time with her idol. Awesome!

Oh my goodness, Christina, I bet you can hardly keep still with the excitement! You MUST post lots of photos of your trip when you come over here. Of course, not a single one of us will be at all jealous of you cooped up in a pod on the London Eye with Henry Cavill (yeah, right!). If you CAN take your eyes off the view inside, the view outside is pretty good too.

Congrats on the new anthology, too. It sounds as though it’s going to be fantastic.

Nearly dancing with excitement about this project and so happy to be able to let my ‘woohoo’s out. Thrilled to be a member of the Darcy Monologue team and work with Christina and Claudine. Although, gotta admit to some envy greens over Christina’s dream trip. 🙂

You’re welcome, Sophia! I am more than happy to return my support to you, as you have been such a wonderful supporter of Just Jane 1813 and such a great facilitator at GR! I can’t wait to read your story!

Thank you for spreading such happy news, Claudine, and to Christina, for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful project, especially since I’ve taken a very long leave of absence for the last few years to care for my family. I’m anticipating May as much as the next person – there are going to be some amazing stories in this anthology!

I’ve missed being able to sit down and write – it’s been quite a while – but this is a fun project to work on. I have always loved spending time considering what goes on in Darcy’s head, sorting it all out, and weaving it into my own wordy little tapestry. And the group you’ve pulled together – dream team for sure. I can’t wait to see this anthology in print, lady!

Are we ever such lucky readers to have such a fabulous book to look forward to! Congratulations Christina on making this possible and Claudine on helping! Congratulations to the authors, some of which I have missed (Susan Adriani – Sara Angelini) some which I love anything they write and some I have never read…yet!

What I love most is Darcy’s willingness to become a better man in order to be worthy of the woman he loves. His reserve hides such a depth of emotion that also speaks to me.

Congratulations Christina on getting to meet your book boyfriend! We will all live vicariously through you! Thank you as well for the wonderful prizes and to have a character written in for one of us lucky winners would be fabulous! I also endorse Glynis’ idea!

Well said, Carole! I always imagine how deeply he cares about the people he loves too and reading so many stories from his POV just brings us closer to admiring his best qualities. The fact that he isn’t perfect makes him even more relatable too.

I think this collection will be one you’ll really love and I wish you luck with the giveaways too. Thank you for being such a great supporter of Just Jane 1813!!

Thank you, Claudine, for hosting this BIG announcement! At least, it’s big to those of us participating, and I’m more than happy to be included. Hats off to Christina who comes up with the greatest ideas!

It has been a longtime dream to work with you, Jan. Your stories are devastingly emotive and each word is carefully written with intent without appearing so. Like I said, it’s been hard for me not to fangirl out on this epic project.

“Hostess with the Mostest” Claudine – thanks for helping organize this announcement! I’ve had loads of fun with this today 🙂 I’m so happy to be part of this anthology. I think readers will love the stories – there’s something for everyone, and enough choices to take a chance on an era or idea that is new and different as well. It’s gonna be great! Good luck to all the giveaway entrants.

I love that phrase, Karen! The “Hostess with the Mostest!” I can only thank authors like you who have kept me so fully immersed in the JAFF community by writing such amazing stories and the dear reading friends I’ve made along the way who make me love reading so much!

Your comments about the collection are spot on, Karen! There’s lots to love and cherish within these pages.

Thanks, Christina, for the opportunity to participate in this project (and for the writing prompt). I suspect poor Darcy will be put through the wringer and hung out to dry in these stories. I’m dying to know what the other 15 writers have done to our ODB. Do we really have to wait until May?

LOL, I know what you mean! OBD certainly goes through some trials in this collection. I hope your story is filled with your lively humor. I’m sure you’ve found a truly singular way to have some fun with ODB!!

Thank you for writing stories that always make me smile, and laugh, and cry such happy tears!!

J Marie Croft! You are a genius wordsmith! I am ever amazed how you can turn a phrase into something so brilliant. Over and over. And people will be impressed further to know that I offered her a writing prompt, and boom! It seemed like a few days later the first draft was in my in-box. Who does that? Such amazing talent. I hope this project shines a bigger light on you and all the authors assembled!

Claudine I have a query for you. I’ve logged into the Rafflecopter form on other blogs where I’ve commented a couple of times since I made my comment on the day of the announcement. Should I be able to Tweet and note that I’ve made a blog post comment every day? I filled it all in on the form here, which is where I made my first comment but it’s now greyed out everywhere else. I’ve asked Janet Taylor as well.

Yes, it should be a giveaway you can enter each day. I looked at the settings and that’s how it’s set up. Perhaps try again later, sometimes a Rafflecopter doesn’t cooperate but hopefully this will resolve itself.

Thank you so much for your support and interest with our giveaways!! 😉

Hi again, Claudine. Still no luck with the Rafflecopter form, apart from my initial four entries from the link here on 20th January. I’ve tried it every which way; from my smartphone, iPad and finally my PC today. Just thought I’d let you know that it’s still not co-operating!

Anji I don’t tweet but I found the blog option is not available. On launch day I entered but it didn’t have a space to enter the blog name. I have tried other sites and different day but no luck. I am hoping my first entry is registered so at least I have one go. I don’t seem to have much luck with Rafflecopter forms. Good luck in the draw.

Yay! I can definitely see this as one of the most anticipated anthology in JAFF! Who wouldn’t want to see Darcy’s POV in so many different scenarios/premise? I’m so excited for this to come out and love the cover with both a Regency/Modern feel to it! Congrats again on winning the Omaze challenge! Can’t wait to see your pictures!

Great choices! After you read Austen, I hope you check back here or email me for some great Jane Austen Fan Fiction choices. I find these stories are a great way to keep Austen’s characters close to my ❤️!

Can’t wait for this anthology to come out! I’m always amazed at how creative the writers are in reinventing “Pride and Prejudice” and I know this one won’t disappoint. Thank you, Chris, for introducing me to this whole new world of Jane Austen!

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Just Jane 1813 is an online community that fosters a book club experience with its readers, to bring you JAFF and other Austen-related book reviews, giveaways, and posts pertaining to everything Austen, all the time.